WHAT ARE REAL MONSTERS (Gaara x Oc)

chapter 40

Okami's pov.

After getting everyone, especially Gaara, checked and treated, I gave them the okay to say bye to the leaf shinobi at the gates. "Thank you for everything." Gaara said. After some more words being exchanged, I turned to my sister and her friends. "You three go on back to Bella and Ibiki. Keep an eye on Kakashi as you travel and make sure Bella takes it easy." I told them as they gave me strange looks. "Sis?" Naomi tilted her head in confusion.

"You're not coming with us? Why?" Koda asked worriedly. "I'm staying here to keep an eye on Gaara and Kankuro." I told them. "But their both healthy." Kaden explained. "I know. However, some problems and symptoms show up later. I want to make sure that doesn't happen." I told them as I looked over at the sand siblings. "We understand." Kaden nodded. "Please be careful when you're around these people." Naomi begged. "And on your way back." Koda added. "I will be, don't worry." I reassured them as I gave all three of them a big hug.

"Be safe!" I called out to them as my students and the leaf shinobi left. "Are you sure you want to stay? You don't have to." Gaara told me with worry laced in his voice. "I already made up my mind. This isn't just for you. This is mainly to ease my own mind." I told him with a small smile. "Very well then." Gaara gave in. He knows exactly how stubborn I am. "Alright, you two, back to bed!" I pointed back into the village. "What!? You can't be serious!?" Kankuro yelled in disbelief. "Bed! Now!" I crossed my arms. The boys sweat dropped at me before slowly walking back to their home.

Tamari was chuckling at her brothers as they walked ahead of us. "You sure know how to make people listen to you." I giggled at her words. "I had three older brothers. Not to mention, I grew up around Gai, Jiraya, and Tsunade at a young age." I joked. "Well, that explains a lot." The two of us continued to laugh. "You're welcome to stay at our place till you leave." Tamari invited. "Wait, are you sure?" I asked, surprised. "Of course. You've helped us a lot over the years, and you still are now. This is the least we could do. And besides now you can spend even more time with Gaara~" my face immediately heat up.

I avoided her eyes as we kept walking. Tamari laughed at my embarrassment. "How'd you even know? Was it that obvious?" I asked nervously. "For me, Kankuro, and your students. Along with Sakura and the others, yes, it is." She told me with a smug look. "Does Gaara know..?" I asked weakly. "Not at all. Gaara may be smart and amazing with a lot of things. But when it comes to feelings, he's completely hopeless." Tamari shook her head. "Great. So I'm stuck in a Hinata and Naruto situation.." I grumbled. "Kinda. Maybe a bit different." Tamari said, confusing me.

When we reached their home, Tamari led me to her room. "You can bunk with me. Or would you rather bunk with Gaara?" Tamari teased. "Wouldn't you rather bunk with Shikamaru?" I teased her right back. Her face went beat red as she avoided looking as me. I laughed at her reaction. "Man. You are gonna be a brutal sister-in-law." I rolled my eyes at her. "I could say the same about you." Both of us smiled at each other.

I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.  I was planning on making something that is full of nutrition while still being delicious. I looked through the cabinets to find ingredients and utensils. "What cha makin?" I heard Tamari asking me from behind. "Dinner. Those two need a home cooked meal that is full of nutrition." I told her. "Or do you just wanna show off your cooking skills to a certain someone?" Tamari asked, I could practically hear the smirk on her face. "That is simply an added bonus." I smirked myself.

"Hehe, want me to help you out?" Tamari asked. "With making dinner or something else?" I asked as I turned to her. "Mm. Maybe a bit of both?" Tamari said with a teasing smile. "Oh, I'm sure you would." We continued to tease each other as she then began to help me prepare the food.

Gaara's pov.

As we walked down the street on our way to our house, I could hear Tamari and Okami giggling behind us. I slightly glanced behind me to see Okami's smile. "You know, this could be an opportunity for you." I heard Kankuro from next to me. "What do you mean? Opportunity for what?" I asked, confused. "To get closer to Okami and maybe go out with her." He told me. I was still confused.

"You know, like spend more time together and maybe go on a date or something." He explained to me. When I finally got what he was implying, I could feel my face heating up. "Hahaha! You never thought about that!?" He was very loud. "Shhhh. I don't need her hearing you! And besides, she's only here to ensure we're healthy." I told him. "No. We are completely healthy. Both Sakura and the twin wolf boy said we were healthy. She's here because she is just extra worried about you." Kankuro told me with a smirk. I couldn't help but feel very happy by his words. I hoped he was right.

When we got to our house, Tamari took Okami to her room. I went to my study to finish up some work. "What are you doing?" I looked up to see my brother leaning against the door frame. "Paperwork." I told him. "No. What I meant was, what are you doing here when you should be out there talking to Okami!?" Kankuro said as he came closer to my desk. I didn't know how to explain it to him. This was the first time I experienced something like this.

I put my pen down as I thought it over for a bit. "I've never experienced something like this before. It's all new to me. I don't know how to approach her or how to start a conversation with her now that I know I have feelings for her." I tried to explain. "I get it. I'll help you best I can!" Kankuro cheered as he placed his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't help but be relieved to know my brother would be helping me, yet I was a bit worried at the same time.

After Kankuro gave me some advice on how to approach Okami, we heard Temari calling us. "Gaara! Kankuro! Dinner's ready!" Both my brother and I were surprised. "Is it already that late?" Kankuro asked, surprised. "Well, let's go eat, shall we?" I stood up and walked with my brother down the hall to the dining room. What I saw made my heart bound against my rib cage. Okami was wearing an apron and helping Temari set the table. Okami looked so adorable in the apron, I was speechless. "You boys hungry? Okami and I worked hard on it." Temari smiled. Okami smiled too as she tugged a strand of hair behind her ear. I swallowed hard to try and calm my nerves.

We all sat down and ate together. There was some stuffed cabbage in a sweet yet salty brouth. A mushrooms and potato miso soup. Bacon and scrambled eggs on the side along with some other side dishes. "Ah! Wow! This stuffed cabbage is amazing!" Kankuro praised. "Really? Well, I'll let my mother know you like it." Okami smiled happily. "This is your mother's recipe?" I asked as I took another bite. "Yip! It's actually one of my favorite dishes of hers." Okami explained for a soft look. Kankuro elbowed me and nodded his head towards Okami. He wanted me to continue with the conversation. I thought it over for a bit.

"Your mother has great talent. Are there any other recipes you would recommend?" I came up with a quick question. "Of course! All the recipes I know are from her. So, I'll make sure you have a great meal for as long as I am here!" Okami smiled happily. My heart swelled up with what I believe is happiness. I didn't notice how my siblings were practically cheering from excitement. The four of us continued to talk about everything while eating. Soon enough, we were done. "Ahhh, now that was a good meal! Thanks, Okami!" Kankuro explained happily. "Hehehe, you're welcome." Okami smiled as she took the plates to the kitchen.

I was then shoved by both my siblings into the kitchen. I looked at them confused as to why they did that. They both pointed at Okami, who was getting the sink ready to wash the dishes. I was still confused. Temari face palmed herself as she shook her head. Kankuro, on the other hand, suddenly smiled as me. Before I knew it, Kankuro was using his chacra strings to move me over to stand next to Okami.

"Oh hey, Gaara!" She smiled. I didn't know what to do or say! "I uhh.. I.. you.." Okami looked confused and a bit worried as I struggled. "Would you mind if I helped you clean the dishes?" I quickly thought of something. Okami smiled at me as she handed me a hand towel to dry the dishes with. And so both Okami and I continued to spend some time together. We were completely unaware that my siblings were dancing around in excitement for some reason.

T. B. C.